EV Travel Mode Control for Route Changes and Power Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hybrid vehicle systems face issues with excessive electric power consumption and occupant discomfort when the traveling route is changed during travel, leading to sudden shifts in operating modes.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method that create a traveling plan assigning specific modes to each section of the route, maintaining the original mode control by comparing attribute information within a predetermined distance before and after route changes, preventing unnecessary power consumption and mode shifts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the traveling mode is forcibly shifted to CD mode when the vehicle deviates from the scheduled traveling route, then the vehicle can adapt to the route change, but excessive electric power is consumed and the internal combustion engine operation suddenly changes causing occupant discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to route changeVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device changes the parameter of traveling mode control strategy based on the degree of route deviation. When deviation is small, it maintains original mode control; when deviation is large, it switches to CD mode. This parameter-based adaptation resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary mode shifts for minor route changes while ensuring adaptability for significant deviations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the degree of deviation from the scheduled traveling route and uses this feedback to determine whether to maintain original mode control or switch to CD mode. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive control that balances route adaptability with energy efficiency by only triggering mode changes when truly necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the traveling mode is forcibly shifted to CD mode when the vehicle deviates from the scheduled traveling route, then the vehicle can adapt to the route change, but the internal combustion engine operation suddenly changes causing occupant discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to route changeVSAvoidoccupant comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device adjusts the traveling mode control parameter based on the degree of route deviation. For small deviations, it maintains the original mode control strategy, avoiding sudden engine operation changes that would discomfort occupants. For large deviations, it transitions to CD mode, ensuring route adaptability while minimizing unnecessary disruptions to occupant comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses real-time feedback on route deviation degree to determine the appropriate control strategy. This feedback loop ensures that mode changes only occur when necessary for significant route deviations, thereby maintaining occupant comfort while still providing adaptability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If a new scheduled traveling route is set when the vehicle deviates from the original route, then the vehicle can follow the updated route, but it takes time to acquire the new route information causing noticeable delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute update capabilityVSAvoidtime to acquire new route

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary assessment of route deviation degree before initiating full route re-planning. By evaluating whether the deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold, it avoids unnecessary time-consuming route re-acquisition processes for minor deviations, thus reducing time loss while maintaining route update capability for significant changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device changes the parameter of route management strategy based on deviation degree. When deviation is within acceptable limits, it maintains the original route without re-acquisition. When deviation exceeds the threshold, it initiates new route acquisition. This parameter-based decision-making reduces unnecessary time consumption while preserving adaptability for genuine route changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11891044B2Control device, control method, and electrical vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

When a scheduled traveling route is changed during travelling of an electrical vehicle, a management ECU of the electrical vehicle maintains control of a travelling mode based on a travelling plan created based on the scheduled traveling route before the change, in accordance with a result of comparison between first attribute information and second attribute information, the first attribute information indicating an attribute of at least one section, which is located within a predetermined distance from a section in which the electrical vehicle is located and located in a vehicle travelling direction, of the scheduled traveling route before the change, the second attribute information indicating an attribute of at least one section, which is located within a predetermined distance from a section in which the electrical vehicle is located and located in a vehicle travelling direction, of the scheduled traveling route after the change.